The attack by Russian troops on the sovereign territory of Ukraine it has put an end to a fictitious peace and the war escalation has turned into a war in all its magnitude. This situation directly affects all levels of society, including sports, of course.
The Russian GPto It is one of them. The appointment scheduled for the weekend of September 23 to 25 It is not, at the moment, canceled, but from the Formula 1 organization they point out that they will be monitoring the situation constantly.
“F1 is keeping a very close eye on highly variable events like so many others and at this time has no comment on the planned race in September. We will continue to monitor the situation very closely,” they said in a statement.
The truth is that, for the moment, there has already been a change. In the last hours, access to the ticket sales website for the Russian GP at the Sochi circuit is no longer available. This, for the moment, does not mean that it has been formally canceled (the contracts have yet to be defined), but it would not be surprising. Just in case, the country already substitute in recent years, Turkeyhas started its machinery to host the event in case the sanctions provided by the various international organizations also include a similar action by the FIA.
Formula 1 is not the only pending competition. The UEFAfor example, plans that the final of the Champions League It will be played in Saint Petersburg on May 28, but for now they are waiting for what happens.
Another very different matter is what the pilots decide. One of those who has most firmly condemned the situation is Sebastian Vettel, who has been very clear: if there is a Russian GP, he refuses to go.
“I must not go, I will not go. People are being killed for stupid reasons. A very strange and crazy leadership », he pointed out to the media.
Loading tweet…
1496822078934335489
Mazepin, no worry
Beyond what happens with the Sochi race, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine already has immediate protagonists in the paddock. The Haas team is sustained by the economic contribution of Uralkalithe company dedicated to the fertilizers of Dmitry Mazepinfather of Nikita. The possible economic sanctions on his country (Mazepin is very close to the Kremlin and does not hesitate to boast of his friendship with the very Vladimir Putin) can affect them directly.
Despite this sword of Damocles, the pilot downplays it. “From what I have understood from Formula 1, the race continues as usual and of course i’ll be there», assured hours before the Russian troops began the bombing.
The first reaction of the Haas team has not been long in coming: Guenther Steiner, who had planned to appear at the official press conference of the team leaders this Thursday, has not done so. No team representative will speak.
Photos: LAT Images / Haas F1 Team